BackgroundChemotherapy-induced polyneuropathy (CIPN) is a common toxicity after chemotherapy, immunomodulatory drugs or proteasome inhibitors, which is difficult to treat and may also have impact on quality of life. The objective of the study was to evaluate whole-body vibration (WBV) on the background of an integrated program (IP) including massage, passive mobilization and physical exercises on CIPN.Patients and methodsIn an exploratory phase-2 study patients with CIPN (NCI CTC grade 2/3) were randomized for WBV plus IP (experimental) to IP alone (standard). 15 training sessions within 15 weeks were intended. As primary endpoint we used chair-rising test (CRT) to assess physical fitness and coordination. In addition, locomotor and neurological tests and self-assessment tools were performed.ResultsA total 131 patients with CIPN were randomized (standard, n = 65; experimental, n = 66). The median age was 60 (range 24–71) years; 44 patients had haematological neoplasms and 87 solid tumors. At baseline, all patients presented with an abnormal CRT. Fifteen (standard) and 22 (experimental) patients left the program due to progression/relapse or concomitant disease. There was no significant difference in the proportion of patients with normal CRT (<10 s) at follow up between experimental (68%) and standard (56%) (p = 0.20). All patients experienced less symptoms and pain (p < 0.001) and had improved CRT (p < 0.001) over time. WBV was significantly associated with a higher reduction of time needed for CRT (p = 0.02) and significantly improved warm-detection-threshold comparing baseline to follow-up assessment (p = 0.02).ConclusionWhole-body vibration on the background of an IP may improve physical fitness and coordination in patients suffering from CIPN. Trial registration Retrospectively registered at http://www.iscrtn.com (ISRCTN 51361937) and http://www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02846844).Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40164-017-0065-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Presently no relevant nursing data exist in Germany on the effect of mobilization according to kinaesthetic principles on the physiological system, on locomotion and the sensory system. The effect of two different versions of mobilization was measured in a unicentric, open, randomized study with two parallel groups from December 1999 to October 2000 in the intermediate ICU for patients after heart surgery at Ulm University Hospital. The aim was, to show superiority of kinaesthetic mobilization, compared to empirically developed standard mobilization on patients after aortal coronary bypass surgery, with reference to respiratory function. The two protocols of mobilization were carefully coordinated with precise plans of action and timing. A total of 104 subjects were randomized to the two groups. In the kinaesthetic mobilization group (n = 52) median age was 67.5 years, ten (19.2%) were female and 42 (80.8%) were male. In the standard mobilization group (n = 52) median age was 69 years, eight (15.4%) were female and 44 (84.6%) were male. The main outcome variable was the respiratory minute volume 30 minutes after the second mobilization minus the respiratory minute volume prior to the second mobilization. The median change in respiratory minute volume was 0.4 ltr/min. (-5.1 to 3) in the group with kinaesthetic mobilization and median 0.3 ltr/min (-6.0 to +9.1) in the standard mobilization group. Superiority of kinaesthetic mobilization compared to standard mobilization could not be proven (p = 0.38). Also in the secondary outcome variables the kinaesthetic mobilization showed no superiority over standard mobilization. The respiratory minute volume data within points of measure show that subjects in the kinaesthetic group have less extreme results (> 12 ltr.). In the area < 5 ltr. there is a similar tendency. This may point out that regulation between movement of body, respiration and circulatory system occurs more continuous in kinaesthetic mobilization than the standard mobilization. A similar tendency was seen in the secondary outcomes variables. Subjectively nurses noted that kinaesthetic mobilization was less strenuous than standard mobilization, even though subjects in the kinaesthetic group showed more mobility restriction (37%) than in the standard group (15%). From before to after the first mobilization the percentage of subjects needing less pain medication was higher in the kinaesthetic group (35%), compared to the standard group (19%). There were no serious adverse events in either group. The concept of kinaesthetic mobilization showed no negative effect on subjects compared to empirically developed standard mobilization. There was no diagnosis of pneumonia and none of instabile sternum on any of the subjects in this study. Also, there was no negative effect on the sternum due to the light support arms gave to sitting up and rotating movements in the area of thorax and pelvis on subjects in the kinaesthetic group. The subjects early trust in their own varied movement and the possible effects of kinaesth...

A medial incision is a common surgical technique to obtain access to the abdomen. Thereby, the muscles involved in movement are manipulated, leading to post-operative restrictions in mobility and pain determined by movement. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the impact of a pre-operative training session using the Viv-Arte model, which is based on kinesthetic mobilisation principles. The parameters to be measured were mobility, pain, and length of hospital stay for patients, who were undergoing elective medial laparotomy. In addition, the study tested the research design and to identify possible effect sizes. The method chosen was a prospective, randomised, controlled, and unblinded design. Twenty-seven patients were involved (median=63 years, 19 of the patients were male) who were to have a medial incision for cystectomy. The intervention involved pre-operative training of post-operative mobility techniques. Mobility was tested using the "Mobilitätstest für Patienten im Akutkrankenhaus (MOTPA) (Mobility test for patients in hospital)"; pain intensity was assessed using the visual analogue scale. The intervention and control groups were comparable for all variables. There were no significant differences in the two groups related to the objectives. It is possible that the study groups or the operationalisation were not appropriate for testing the effects of the intervention. It seems important to continue to develop instruments that are appropriate for measuring the effect of mobility-related interventions.